All Things Explorer of the Seas! -- Part 2

[Seaworthy01]

We were just there last month. We took the ferry to Hamilton (because the St. Georges ferry wasnt running yet) then the bus. The bus stop is across the street from the entrance...short walk. We did both Crystal and Fantasy Caves. I had never seen a cave before, so it was neat to me. I don't need to repeat the experience though. It is slippery. If you choose to do Fantasy Cave as well, keep in mind that the steps are STEEP....I mean, STEEP. In my opinion, you really don't need to do both caves.

 

We walked from there around the corner to the Swizzle Inn for lunch.

 

There is a bus top right by the caves if I remember it correctly though we used scooters on our visit there so I could be a little off. The caves are sort of half way between Hamilton and St. George so you could actually do it either way. You could consider going to Hamilton by ferry, taking the bus to the caves, then taking the bus to St. George, and then the ferry back to King's Wharf. That would make for a nice day.

 

Thanks for the information, Taking the ferry to St. George the back from Hamilton, that would be a nice day.

[sweet angel]

Thanks for the information, Taking the ferry to St. George the back from Hamilton, that would be a nice day.

Not sure if you're aware of this...we weren't. The buses in Hamilton do NOT leave from where the ferry drops off (Front Street). You have to walk up a couple blocks and over a couple blocks to get to where the buses are.

[Seaworthy01]

Not sure if you're aware of this...we weren't. The buses in Hamilton do NOT leave from where the ferry drops off (Front Street). You have to walk up a couple blocks and over a couple blocks to get to where the buses are.

 

Thanks.

[jaz0308]

Our last cruise on the Explorer we had a party of 12, I went to the dinning room and spoke to the matradee on embarkation day and requested a table to accommodate all of us and there wasn't any problem getting that accomplished. We ate in the main dining room every night and had a great time with our wait staff.

 

 

This is wonderful to hear! We have a party of 12 and our TA told us there was no way we could all sit together. We were hoping to request tables right next to each other. Did they sit you all at one table?

[luvfamvaca]

This is wonderful to hear! We have a party of 12 and our TA told us there was no way we could all sit together. We were hoping to request tables right next to each other. Did they sit you all at one table?

 

I was on Adventure with a party of 14, we had a table all together, no problem at all, we were on a lower level, close to the kitchen but we had so much attention & assistance from everyone that was running back and forth it actually made our nights alot of fun!

[Seaworthy01]

This is wonderful to hear! We have a party of 12 and our TA told us there was no way we could all sit together. We were hoping to request tables right next to each other. Did they sit you all at one table?

 

Sounds like you may need another TA. Of coarse you can all sit together, and you will have the same waiter every night which makes your dinning experience more personal and lots of fun.

[Seaworthy01]

This is wonderful to hear! We have a party of 12 and our TA told us there was no way we could all sit together. We were hoping to request tables right next to each other. Did they sit you all at one table?

 

Make it a point to make your visit to the dinning room one of your first priorities to speak to the matradee.

[Drunkard of the Seas]

couple random exlplorer questions:

anyone know if they to ship tours while its docked or is it always turning over the next group of cruisers?

does it do any cruises to nowhere?

 

i know a few people that are on the fence about cruising and i think that would help put them over the top.

-Roger

[Seaworthy01]

couple random exlplorer questions:

anyone know if they to ship tours while its docked or is it always turning over the next group of cruisers?

does it do any cruises to nowhere?

 

i know a few people that are on the fence about cruising and i think that would help put them over the top.

-Roger

 

I know R.C. does not do cruises to nowhere, Carnival does only certain months out of the year.

 

You can call your TA and ask if they can set up a cruise tour, they would have to escort you after approved by the cruise line. Some TA's won't even consider it.

[CarRex]

I know R.C. does not do cruises to nowhere, Carnival does only certain months out of the year.

 

You can call your TA and ask if they can set up a cruise tour, they would have to escort you after approved by the cruise line. Some TA's won't even consider it.

 

NCL does them out of NYC once or twice a year.

[Seaworthy01]

NCL does them out of NYC once or twice a year.

 

That is good to know, I may have to take advantage of that.

[HappyCruiser54]

couple random exlplorer questions:

anyone know if they to ship tours while its docked or is it always turning over the next group of cruisers?

does it do any cruises to nowhere?

 

i know a few people that are on the fence about cruising and i think that would help put them over the top.

-Roger

 

Roger, AAA does several lunches aboard cruise ships. I know they are doing Explorer and I think Celebrity in this month. Probably sold out already. I don't have all the particulars but you could check with your local AAA office. The ones I have seen advertised were bus transportation to/from ship, ship tour and lunch and cost was aroung $60-$75. Hope this helps.

[moey142]

sorry if Im in the wrong place here. we have booked for the first time with royal on explorer. booked cabin 7614, a balcony, which we enjoy. can anyone explain the design of the deck, especially the promenade. We cruised on ncl and princess where there isnt this feature. Also any comments on the cabin. thanks for any input.

[mets550]

sorry if Im in the wrong place here. we have booked for the first time with royal on explorer. booked cabin 7614, a balcony, which we enjoy. can anyone explain the design of the deck, especially the promenade. We cruised on ncl and princess where there isnt this feature. Also any comments on the cabin. thanks for any input.

 

The best way to think about the promenade is to think about a mall, just a bit narrower. It is like a central esplanade that is very high and runs almost the length of the ship. The rest of the ship (at least the interior) revolves around the promenade.

 

Balcony rooms on Explorer are very nice too. We had a deck six balcony. I believe decks seven and up have glass halfway up on the balcony, so you can see through even when you are sitting.

[moey142]

can you walk through t h e promenade on deck seven or look down.

[sweet angel]

can you walk through t h e promenade on deck seven or look down.

 

No. The Royal Promenade is on Deck 5. There are areas on deck 6,7,8 to look down on it, as well as some "promenade view" cabins that overlook it via a bow window.

 

The promenade features shops, a couple of bars, and Cafe Promenade where you can get snacks (pizza, sandwiches, cookies, fruit) 24/7 as well as coffee, tea, water, hot chocolate, iced tea.

[navilady2001]

Hi All,

I am going on the Explorer May 25th to Bermuda (5 night cruise), I was wondering a few things:

1. Does anyone have the current Bermuda cruise compasses they can share?

2. Does anyone know the MDR menu order. I have the new MDR menus, I am just not sure of their order. Is Saffron day 1?

Any info would greatly be appreciated!!

 

Thanks!!

[JBert]

Hi All,

I am going on the Explorer May 25th to Bermuda (5 night cruise), I was wondering a few things:

1. Does anyone have the current Bermuda cruise compasses they can share?

2. Does anyone know the MDR menu order. I have the new MDR menus, I am just not sure of their order. Is Saffron day 1?

Any info would greatly be appreciated!!

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Check out Radio's LIVE thread that he just finished a few weeks ago. He posted the most current compasses!

[navilady2001]

Hi Jbert,

Yes, I did but his cruise was a 6 nighter.....that is where I got the menu's from but the cruise I am going on is a 5 nighter.....just trying to figure out which day from his info to not use :S

 

Thanks!!!!

[Seaworthy01]

sorry if Im in the wrong place here. we have booked for the first time with royal on explorer. booked cabin 7614, a balcony, which we enjoy. can anyone explain the design of the deck, especially the promenade. We cruised on ncl and princess where there isnt this feature. Also any comments on the cabin. thanks for any input.

 

 

Click on the My Photos link at the bottom of this post and you will see pictures of the Promenade,

[moey142]

your pictures are great. ship looks amazing. thanks wall

[jaz0308]

So, I just found out that my 3 year old DD has a severe peanut allergy! I am freaking out right now thinking about managing that on a 9 day cruise! Is there anyone out there who can give me some help with this? I am not so worried about the MDR because I think it's easy enough to talk to the maître d and servers but I am extremely concerned about the buffets, café promenade, and any other eateries. It's not like we want to have a formal sit down meal every time we eat! Also, I guess eating in ports may be pretty much out of the question! Please help with any info or a point in the right direction! Thank you from a worried Mama!

[tonyrocks922]

Hi All,

 

I am considering the cruise leaving 12/29/13. A few questions (sorry for all the questions)

 

- Are cruises over new-years typically more/less crowded than other times?

 

- Is the cigar bar open all day or only certain hours? Are there any outdoor decks where cigars can be smoked (i know it's cigarettes only on balconies)

 

- Any opinions on Cabin 8334?

 

- When I checked through the travel website I would book on, the only meal options were "main seating 6pm" or "my time". Does that mean the late seating is full? I kind of want late seating, but more importantly I hope to get a table for 2. Do you think it is possible to email RCI with the request for late seating, or do I have a better chance of getting the 2-top at the main seating?

[138east]

New Years cruises tend to be more expensive and full.

 

The cigar bar is always open, but it might not be attended.

 

8334 is near the aft elevators, my favorite location.

 

You will have a better chance of a table for two if you prepay your gratuities, select my time dining, and make a daily reservation for a table for two.

[highway6161]

I know that people have discussed this before, but now that I've read some of the live reviews of Breakaway...

 

I've been following the Norwegian Breakaway arrival with a lot of interest. If nothing else, competition with a big new boat should keep Royal Caribbean on their toes in New York.

That said, I see no reason to 'jump ship' from the Explorer. We're a Long Island family of four - kids 13 and 14, and we've been out on the Explorer two times already (booked for a third).

What we care about: teen activities; pools, space around the pools, bars around the spaces around the pools(!); destinations and excursions; space and some quiet.

What we care less about: shows; extra $$$ restaurants.

The Breakaway's ropes course and water slides are appealing, but I see that as a tie against the Explorer's ice skating.

And of course, Breakaway is the one with premium pricing now! So what do other people think - am I missing anything?